Alleged wedding scammer released on bail, ordered to get treatment

Friday

Mar 29, 2013 at 7:30 PMMar 29, 2013 at 7:50 PM

By Brian Lee TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

The videographer who allegedly scammed more than 90 couples out of payments for wedding videos that he never delivered was sentenced today to 19 days in the House of Correction, time he's already served, for violating his probation.

In Dudley District Court, Jesse J. Clark , 29, of 203 N. Sturbridge Road, Charlton, admitted violating his probation on three previous cases by allegedly damaging his mother's SUV with a baseball bat March 10.

He initially admitted to sufficient facts that he violated a restraining order his wife held against him and to the alleged vandalism on his mother's vehicle.

But in a second hearing held the same day, Judge Timothy M. Bibaud ordered Mr. Clark held on $1,000 cash bail on those charges. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for April 25.

Upon posting bail, Mr. Clark was ordered to abide by his wife's restraining order and to seek admission to an inpatient psychiatric facility.

Defense lawyer Thomas W. Brousseau asked the judge to sentence his client to two years' probation.

Mr. Brousseau told the judge Mr. Clark is bipolar and suffers from depression and anxiety.

Assistant District Attorney John F. Kennedy asked the judge to sentence Mr. Clark to 2-1/2 years, with one year to serve and the balance suspended, and order that he remain drug- and alcohol-free.

The prosecutor said Mr. Clark has had “five shots” at probation, which hasn't appeared to work, and the latest bat incident was “a violent act.”

Mr. Brousseau said Mr. Clark and his wife, Veronica Clark, who was at the court hearing but declined to speak to reporters, are divorcing.

She initiated contact with Mr. Clark and filed a motion in Probate and Family Court to vacate the restraining order on Feb. 19. The court didn't act on the motion because Ms. Clark filed it pro se, the lawyer said. Their children are ages 2 and 3.

Mr. Clark's parents also attended the court hearing today.

Mr. Brousseau said the latest incident stemmed from when his client argued with his parents, with whom he lives, because of a column that had appeared in the Sunday Telegram.

Mr. Brousseau said that the 911 call his mother made about the vandalism of the vehicle indicated she sought a medical response for her son, not police involvement.

The lawyer said Mr. Clark's parents want to support him, are not seeking restitution, and did not want to see him incarcerated.

Also in court was Boston lawyer Nicholas Frye, who represents four couples who allege they were clients of Mr. Clark's videography company who never received their wedding videos. Mr. Frye's clients have won civil judgments against Mr. Clark.

Mr. Frye said the judge appears to believe Mr. Clark can be rehabilitated.

“I believe Judge Bibaud sees him as a sick person, not a criminal. I don't necessarily agree with that.”

The lawyer asserted Mr. Clark is a career criminal. “If they let him out again, they'll pick him up again,” Mr. Frye said.

On the other hand, Mr. Frye said extending the case gave him another month to figure out where Mr. Clark's assets are allegedly hidden.